Taxi drivers on Teesside may be asked to take an extra test to help drive up standards.

The advanced test is being piloted in several areas by the Driving Standards Agency.

Middlesbrough's commissioner for the environment, Councillor Oliver Johnson, said: "This is an interesting development and one which we will be pursuing with colleagues in local councils and the trade.

"The law says that to get a taxi badge a driver just needs to have held a full licence for a year.

"In Middlesbrough we insist on an applicant holding a licence for three years but there are no national standards."

Proposals for the advanced test were raised at a seminar by Middlesbrough Council. It was attended by representatives of all Tees Valley councils, taxi drivers and proprietors.